Nantes Handball Féminin

Nantes Handball Féminin (previously Neptunes de Nantes and Nantes Atlantique Handball) is the name of a French professional handball club from Nantes. The team competed in the French Women's Handball First League between 2013 and 2024. From 2024, it competes in the second league, Division 2 Féminin.

Nantes Handball Féminin
Full name	Nantes Handball Féminin
Founded	1998
Arena	Complexe sportif Mangin-Beaulieu, Nantes
Capacity	2,400
President	Yoann Choin-Joubert[1][2]
Head coach	Camille Comte
League	Division 2 Féminin
2024-25	3rd[3]
Club colours
Home Away
Website Official site

History

The club was founded in 1998 as Nantes Loire Atlantique Handball. In 2018 they changed their name to Nantes Atlantique Handball. In 2021 the club changed name from Nantes Atlantique Handball to Neptunes de Nantes. The club was created to replace ASPTT Nantes.^[4]

The club was promoted to the Division 2, the second tier, in 2003. In 2005 they were relegated again. In 2011 they were promoted to Division 2 for a second time, and in 2013 they won the division to be promoted to the French Women's Handball First League.^[4]

In 2021 they won their first European title, when they won the 2020–21 Women's EHF European League.^[5]

After the club's sponsor withdrew in 2024, the club declared bankruptcy on 31 July 2024 and lost their position in the top french league.^[6][7] The club was renamed Nantes Handball Féminin, and restarted in the 2nd tier, LFH Division 2 Féminine. In their first season refounded they finished 2nd behind Le Havre AC, but they were not promoted.^[8]

Naming history

• Nantes Loire Atlantique Handball (1998-2018)
• Nantes Atlantique Handball (2018-2021)
• Neptunes de Nantes (2021-2024)
• Nantes Handball Féminin (2024-)

Presidents

• Patrick Houry : June 1998 - June 2003
• Véronique Laime : July 2003 - January 2006
• Patrick Houry : February 2006 - June 2010
• Philippe Aubry : July 2010 - June 2011
• Arnaud Ponroy : July 2011 - January 2021
• Daniel Pellerin : January 2021 - April 2024
• Pascal Gentil : April 2024 -

Honours

• EHF European League:
  • Winner: 2021^[5]
• LFH Division 2 Féminine
  • Winner: 2013
• Championnat de France de Nationale 1
  • Winner: 2003, 2011

Team

Current squad

Squad for the 2024–25 season.

Goalkeepers 31 Agathe Quiniou 72 Cecilia Errin 97 Lola Boiteux Wingers RW 35 Albane Frachon LW 2 Mélina Michaud 18 Naémi Ardouin 44 Alizée Martin Line players 3 Dagui Assana 6 Imen Chagh 13 Esther Pelenda Back players LB 10 Laly Coutte 16 Yvana Richard CB 11 Vanira Van Sou 21 Ambre Leveque RB 5 Laly Herve 19 Shana Conan 20 Orlane Ahanda 32 Nolwen Verton 34 Eva Mbata

Squad information
No.	Nat.	Player	Position	In	Contract until	Previous club
1		Jessica Ryde	Goalkeeper	2023	2026	Herning-Ikast
12		Floriane André	Goalkeeper	2018	2024
31		kelly Vollebregt	Right wing	2023	2025	Odense Håndbold
11		Oriane Ondono	Line Player	2021	2025	CJF Fleury Loiret
8		Carin Strömberg	Centre back	2021	2025	Viborg HK
15		Marie Hélène Sajka	Right back	2023	2025	Nykøbing Falster Håndboldklub
14		Mari Finstad Bergum	Left back	2021	2025	Flint Tønsberg
17		Marine Dupuis	Left wing	2022	2024	Toulon Métropole Var Handball
19		Anna Lagerquist	Line Player	2022	2024	Rostov-Don
20		Orlane Ahanda	Right back	2011	2025
29		Léna Grandveau	Centre back	2022	2025	Bourg-de-Péage Drôme Handball
22		Tamara Horacek	Left back	2023	2026	Metz Handball
42		Dyénaba Sylla	Left wing	2020	2024	Jeanne d'Arc Dijon Handball
77		Emilie Bellec	Right wing	2023	2024
7		Helene Gigstad Fauske	Center Back	2023	2025	Brest Bretagne Handball
18		Naemi Ardouin	Left wing	2023	2026

Transfers

Transfers for the 2024–25 season^[9]

Joining

Leaving Floriane André (GK) (to Brest Bretagne Handball) Oriane Ondono (LP) (to Brest Bretagne Handball) Marine Dupuis (LW) (to OGC Nice Handball) Marie-Hélène Sajka (RB) (to OGC Nice Handball) Tamara Horacek (LB) (to RK Krim) Helene Gigstad Fauske (CB) (to Odense Håndbold) Mari Finstad Bergum (LB) (to Toulon Métropole Var Handball) Kelly Vollebregt (RW) (to Borussia Dortmund Handball) Helle Thomsen (Coach) (to CSM București) Léna Grandveau (CB) (to Metz Handball) Paola Ebanga Baboga (RB) (to Saint-Amand Handball) Blanka Kajdon (CB) (to BSV Sachsen Zwickau) Jessica Ryde (GK) (to Debreceni VSC) Anna Lagerquist (LP) (to Győri Audi ETO KC)

Staff members

Staff for the 2024–25 season.

• Head coach: Camille Comte
• Training coach: Loreta Ivanauskaite^[10]

Notable players

• Camille Ayglon-Saurina
• Blandine Dancette
• Pauline Coatanea
• Camille Aoustin
• Kalidiatou Niakaté
• Estelle Nze Minko
• Catherine Gabriel
• Alexandrina Cabral
• Elisabeth Chávez
• Beatriz Escribano
• Kaba Gassama
• Bruna de Paula
• Fabiana Diniz
• Elaine Gomes
• Sonja Bašić
• Dragica Džono
• Ivana Lovrić
• Lotte Grigel
• Stine Bodholt Nielsen
• Mia Møldrup
• Anette Helene Hansen
• Malin Holta
• Helene Gigstad Fauske
• Mari Finstad Bergum
• Jovana Stoiljković
• Katarina Tomašević
• Esther Schop
• Isabelle Jongenelen
• Szabina Mayer
• Maroua Dhaouadi
• Isabell Klein

Coaching history

• Florence Sauval : 2001 - 2004

• Stéphane Moualek : 2010 - 2014
• Jan Bašný : 2014 - 2018
• Frédéric Bougeant : June 2018 - November 2018
• Guillaume Saurina and Loréta Ivanauskas : interim
• Allan Heine : December 2018 - 2020
• Guillaume Saurina 2020 - February 2022
• Helle Thomsen : February 2022 - 2024
• Camille Comte : 2024 -